Egypt, a regional power with a strategic geopolitical position, has been stepping up its diplomatic efforts on both Mideast and African fronts, particularly the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Darfur issue.

Unprecedented diplomatic shuttling by Egypt's top civil servants on the two hot issues has generated significant results.

RAY OF HOPE RISES ON PALESTINIAN ISSUES

In the over 50-year history of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, there were few moments that witnessed a more critical and dangerous circumstance than the last several months.

Since the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) came into power in March after a sweeping victory in the legislative elections in January, the Palestinian territories have witnessed a yawning rift between two mainstream factions -- the ruling Hamas and the Fatah movement led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Meanwhile, enmity has been continuing to build up between the Palestinians and Israel since early year and reached a boiling point in midyear, when Hamas' armed wing and two other Palestinian militant groups captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit during a cross-border raid on an Israeli post on June 25.

In the wake of the abduction, Israeli army launched military operations on Gaza, which have killed hundreds of Palestinians.

Moreover, the Palestinian territories have been on the brink of a humanitarian disaster owing to an aid cutoff by major donor nations because of Hamas' rejection to the three international conditions, namely recognizing Israel, renouncing violence and honoring previous agreements signed with Israel.

Egypt, the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel, did not sit on with their hands tied at the key moment for the Palestinians. It has been playing a mediating role between the Palestinians and Israel.

Egyptian officials, including powerful Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman, have been in furious diplomatic shuttling between Egypt and the Palestinian territories, Israel as well as Syria.

Thanks to Egypt's unswerving efforts, a ray of hope has risen on the Palestinian territories based on what Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called "the achievement of tangible progress on the Palestinian-Israeli track."

On Nov. 25, Mubarak voiced hope that the international community would swiftly and seriously act on breaking the deadlock in the peace process, ending the Palestinian people's suffering and helping them establish an independent Palestinian state.

Mubarak's optimistic statements to Egypt's top-selling daily Al- Ahram came at a subtle time when exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal was in Cairo on an unannounced visit.

Meshaal told a press conference also on Nov. 25 that his talks with Egyptian officials, including Suleiman, dealt with three major issues, including a prisoners' swap deal and a Palestinian unity government.

Although Meshaal, now exiled in the Syrian capital Damascus, didn't announce any breakthrough on the two mentioned issues, yet analysts and diplomats said Meshaal's visit raises hope for such breakthrough in the near future.

Meshaal said there was a historic opportunity to work out a political solution for a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders in six months.

Shortly after Meshaal's visit to Egypt, Suleiman went to Israel to brief the latter the talks with Meshaal.

After these talks with both Palestinians and Israelis, the Egyptians said that progress had been made toward finalizing a prisoners' exchange.

Meanwhile, a mutual ceasefire with the Palestinians as of Nov. 26 was accepted by Israelis for the first time, marking another diplomatic harvest for Egypt, who has been dedicated to promote negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

No matter what Egypt's diplomatic efforts would achieve ultimately, Meshaal's visit itself marked a significant victory for its months-long diplomacy.

MAKING STRIDES IN BREAKING WEST-SUDAN STALEMATE ON DARFUR

For Egypt, the deadlock between the West and Sudan's Arab government seems to be easier to deal with since Egypt has recently made good strides in brokering a deal over the Darfur crisis.

Rebel groups in Sudan's western arid Darfur region took up arms in February 2003, accusing Khartoum of neglect. Many people have been killed in the conflict and more displaced.

Sudan has been under mounting pressure from the West, particularly the U.S., to accept the deployment of an international peacekeeping force in Darfur.

The UN Security Council passed a resolution on Aug. 31 calling for the deployment of more than 20,000 international peacekeepers to replace the 7,800-strong African Union (AU) forces in Darfur.

But Khartoum has rejected the mission transfer, saying it was a violation of Sudan's sovereignty and an effort by the West to colonize the African oil-rich country.

Egypt has been firmly supporting Sudan's stance on the deployment of UN forces, insisting that any deployment should first get approval from the Sudanese government.

More than that, Egypt's leadership and diplomats, including President Mubarak himself, have been involved in about six-month mediation efforts, trying to bridge gaps between Khartoum and the West.

The latest effort was made in the Libyan capital Tripoli on Nov. 21 when Mubarak, along with Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi and Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir, held a mini-summit over the Darfur problem.

Egypt's continuing efforts have been paid off in recent weeks since such efforts have resulted in a working mechanism through dialogue which in principle has been accepted by concerned parties.

Egypt has been persuading the West and Sudan to accept a third way, or a compromise solution designed by Egypt to bring both Western and Sudanese concerns closer to convergence.

Although a final compromise deal has yet been stricken, Egypt's initiative and efforts have won support from Sudan, Western nations and the UN.

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said in Cairo on Nov. 12 that France shares identical views with Egypt on the Darfur issue and supports Egyptian efforts to press for a compromise solution.

Source: Xinhua